Curtis Czerwinski

Curtis Czerwinski is a Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He holds a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1996) and a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (1991). His teaching portfolio includes courses such as General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Advanced Synthesis. He has held academic roles at UW-La Crosse since 1999, progressing through ranks from Assistant Professor (1999-2005) to Associate Professor (2005-2012) and ultimately Professor (2012-present).

Dr. Czerwinski’s research focuses on organometallic chemistry, particularly the synthesis and structural analysis of organometallic compounds using techniques like X-ray crystallography and DFT modeling. His work explores haptotropic rearrangements in biphenyl chromium complexes and their potential applications in molecular devices and medicinal chemistry. Collaborations include scientists at UW-Madison and Moscow State University.

He has received multiple teaching awards, including the UW-La Crosse Provost Teaching Excellence Award (2013) and the UW-Wyoming Beaufort Award for Teaching (1999). His publications span organometallic synthesis, reaction mechanisms, and undergraduate laboratory innovations. He advises pre-medicine students and emphasizes collaborative, hands-on research with undergraduates, as evidenced by co-authored papers with student researchers marked with an asterisk.

Professional affiliations include the American Chemical Society, Sigma Xi, and the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR). His research integrates experimental and computational methods to advance understanding of transition metal complexes and their practical applications.